Lion’s Head Meatballs: Pork balls with kale.
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This recipe comes from The Food of China - if you want to find out about this brilliant recipe book then check out our article on our 10 favourite cookbooks.
"Chinese food tries to engage the mind, not just the palate. To provoke the intellect." - Nicole Mones
How to make the Chinese pork balls recipe known as Lion’s head meatballs.
Ingredients:
225g x Pork mince
1 x Egg white
2 x Spring onions
1 tbsp x Rice wine vinegar or Shoaxing rice wine
1 tsp x Grated ginger
1 tbsp x Soy sauce
2 tsp x Sugar
1 tsp x Sesame oil
3 large leaves x Kale, washed and trimmed
1 tbsp x Cornflour
250ml x Good stock (use our homemade chicken stock recipe)
Serve with rice and toasted cashews
Instructions on how to make Chinese pork balls:
Put the pork and egg white into a blender and process quickly until the mixture goes fluffy. If you need to find a small but incredibly powerful blender, we recommend the Ninja professional stackable chopper. I use it all the time, and it is easy to clean, super useful and well worth the money!
In a large bowl, add the spring onion, rice wine, grated ginger, soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil and then season with salt and black pepper. Beat together in the bowl until well combined.
You will want to get the flavour balance right, so make sure you fry a small piece of the mixture first to taste. If it’s yummy, great, crack on - if it needs a little balancing, then re-season and try again.
Coat the meatballs in cornflour and then brown off in a hot pan or wok (we use our Le Creuset wok, which is honestly the best thing I’ve ever bought). Once they have started crisping up on the outside, remove from the pan.
In the now empty wok, bring the stock to a boil.
In a casserole dish or similar, lay the kale out along the bottom of the pan and then place the meatballs on top. Pour the boiling stock over the meatballs and kale and return to the boil. Simmer until the meatballs are cooked. For this size dish, we found about 45 minutes to an hour worked. Serve the Chinese pork balls on top of the kale along with rice and cashews.
What are Lionhead Meatballs?
Lion's Head Meatballs, known as "Shi Zi Tou" (狮子头) in Chinese cuisine, are a classic dish with origins in the Jiangsu province. These meatballs are named for their large size and the supposed resemblance of the browning meatballs to a lion's head.
In Chinese culture, the lion is a symbol of strength and protection. Lion's Head Meatballs are not only appreciated for their taste and texture but also for the cultural significance attached to their name. The dish is a popular and comforting choice in both home kitchens and Chinese restaurants, showcasing the diverse and delicious offerings of Chinese cuisine.
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Kale - the health benefits:
The health benefits of kale make it a standout choice for a nutritious diet. Packed with essential nutrients like vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese, kale supports bone health, boosts the immune system, and provides overall wellness. Its impressive antioxidant content, featuring quercetin and kaempferol, contributes to reducing inflammation and protecting our cells. With a good dose of fibre, kale promotes digestive health and helps in maintaining a healthy gut. Its heart-friendly properties, including potassium and fibre, play a role in managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Additionally, the low-calorie and high-fibre composition of kale can support weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness. Including kale in your diet is an easy and tasty way to reap the health benefits it offers, contributing to a vibrant and well-rounded lifestyle.